25 December 2013

Our fourth Christmas in China was the most meaningful we have enjoyed here. We were invited to a lovely friend’s apartment as she experienced her first Christmas in China. It was so nice to be a part of her Christmas tradition that she is used to; Big Breakfast. Friends gathered together to partake in fresh cinnamon bread, cheesey eggs, and stewed strawberries. Stories were shared. Laughter was shared. More of my laugh lines were created during this time. I am so thankful for the opportunity to hear about how my friends are connecting with others. They are going beyond the “Santa hat” mentality and making heart to heart connections. That is super meaningful. In China, each Christmas becomes a little different. Our first Christmas in 2010 we saw a few Santa cut-outs stuck on windows of hair salons and fruit and veggie markets. Many of the “Merry Christmas” signs were spelled wrong. The Christmas decorating sections of large stores were small. Since then, each year Christmas is getting bigger and bigger. Yet again, I see the Western culture influencing China. This Christmas I have seen many, many, many Santa hats being worn at stores and restaurants. The Christmas decorating sections are much, much bigger now. There has been more and more Christmas singing being played in the background while shopping at big stores. Our favorite song we heard was someone trying to sing in their best English……”You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. I’m telling you why, Jesus Christ is coming to town. He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. He knows when you’ve been bad or good. So, be good for goodness sake……” Each verse in that song was about Santa Claus except one. That was the verse we were surprised to hear and started giggling. We were beginning to be filled up with sparkling glee. Sparkle. Sparkle. Happy. Happy.

The locals completely know the names of the holidays. Christmas Eve is “Ping An Ye” which means silent night. I have come to love this intentional silent night time. As we were at Emart that Christmas Eve afternoon we heard the speakers singing Silent Night….Ping An Ye….in different languages. It made me think. People know there are two different sayings; Ping An Ye and Merry Christmas (Sheng Dan Jie Kuai Le). However, do people really know about the difference of both? Merry Christmas in English lends itself to the real reason of the season. Santa Claus is at the heart of the Chinese words Sheng Dan Jie Kuai Le.  Santa’s (or Father Christmas’) name in Chinese is Sheng Dan Lao Ren. It became clear to me as we talked over Big Breakfast that it is all about relationship with friends and sharing true love though a manger. Together with our friends we can experience the joy and love of Christmas. It is through these ping pong relationships that love can change hearts and grow people. My Christmas morning was full of meaning. I was very thankful for this time.

 After our time together I went out into the crazily polluted air. It was super, super, super nasty outside. I ran out just to get a few things at one shop. I think I literally took a year off of my life. The air smelled so badly. Poisoned. Toxic. My eyes were stinging. My spirits started to sink. I returned to my home which has been fairly cold as we are on the top floor of our building. Today was the first day of running the heater in our home. We enjoy the heat from the radiators in our apartment but it wasn’t enough. We have been doing a good job of layering our clothes but it was just time. Time to get warmer. It was interesting how an environment can effect my mood on Christmas Day. Upon returning home my heart was happy to hear voices from six thousand miles away through the computer screen. That was heart warming to receive Merry Christmases from loved ones. Shortly after we gathered around our fake Christmas tree and shared gifts. First, my seven year old shared her story through her diorama she made at school. That was a beautiful gift told through storytelling. So meaningful, it was. Then, we enjoyed diving into our stockings. My husband got a chuckle out of the dark chocolate covered durian truffles. I was touched by a little scrolled up piece of paper; a handwritten letter from my oldest daughter. My seven year old was so happy to see fruit by the foot. My oldest daughter enjoyed the anticipation of using her sling made by Tibetans using sheep and yak wool. The last part of our time together was special as every gift under the tree was given from the heart. Things were handmade. Some memory filled. Some very well thought out. All gift wrapped with re-used gift bags, slices of Chinese newspapers, ruled paper, two small rolls of non-Christmas gift wrap, and lots of tape. It was all very simply presented. Nothing fancy but all from the heart. So meaningful, it was. My favorite gift I received was a simple piece of paper which was a date night certificate! My daughters are going to make a special date night for my husband and I in our apartment sometime during Christmas break. Wow! What a lovely idea! When we lived in the States I helped them to provide opportunities where they could serve with their hearts. For example, a special dinner for Daddy’s birthday or having friends come over for special events. Since moving to China almost four years ago we haven’t had opportunities like that as much. So, for me to receive a gift like “date night in my home” from my daughters was very, very special. Overall, my fourth Christmas in China was very simple and meaningful. I am so thankful.